Is Satan Tempting Us or Is It Ourselves?

mlepfitjw

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Here so much sometimes about Satan tempting people, and trying to lure them away from God.

Why do we/you never take up the notice that temptation comes from ourselves?

Why do we/you try to place what they have done, and not take blame on themselves?

How is it that we as human beings always try to make it an easy way out by saying oh the devil made me do it?

In my life, guess the devil made me look at inappropriate contentography, to use drugs, to hate other people. Really at the point in my own life that making excuses for my actions is not the right thing to do. Realizing that my actions are based on my desires, with my mind that entices me are all my responsibility.

What does scripture really say about that however? Will you take a look at James 1 with me.

James 1:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.

10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.

11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

What are your thoughts on these verses?
 

BNR32FAN

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Here so much sometimes about Satan tempting people, and trying to lure them away from God.

Why do we/you never take up the notice that temptation comes from ourselves?

Why do we/you try to place what they have done, and not take blame on themselves?

How is it that we as human beings always try to make it an easy way out by saying oh the devil made me do it?

In my life, guess the devil made me look at inappropriate contentography, to use drugs, to hate other people. Really at the point in my own life that making excuses for my actions is not the right thing to do. Realizing that my actions are based on my desires, with my mind that entices me are all my responsibility.

What does scripture really say about that however? Will you take a look at James 1 with me.

James 1:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.

10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.

11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

What are your thoughts on these verses?

Well when I’m faced with temptation I always say “get out of here satan” which is what Jesus said when He was tempted by satan. And I try to clear my mind and focus my thoughts on something else. This just works for me so I stick with it.
 
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mlepfitjw

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Hello BNR, that works, you remind me of the scripture : If God can be for us, who can against us. Sometimes our minds when they linger off unto enticements that is lead by our own desires that sometimes creep in, we are the one who can be the Satan (Adversary) against ourselves. Telling the adverse thoughts to get out of our mind by going to the Lord or Asking the Lord ; Lord No I dont wanna think like that helps. Respect the way you do it to brother.

What does BNR stand for?
 
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1213

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14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
...
What are your thoughts on these verses?

I think that verse is very good in this case. I agree with you that people too easily blame others of their own evil actions. People should take responsibility of what they have done and not blame others.
 
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mlepfitjw

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1213, thank you for your comment.

The scripture is true, do not know why a lot of people like to put the blame on the devil, when they are already a believer in God, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Maybe Satan is more powerful than God, and can not be defeated which seems like a very big stretch to me.

Satan has been defeated since the day of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour dying on the cross... Jesus conquered over hell, death, Satan, and sin.

Really desire people to understand it is their own desires that comes from their heart that drag them away from God when they are enticed to do whatever it is that an opposite to what pleases God.
 
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fhansen

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Neither God nor satan makes us do anything at the end of the day
"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed." James 1:13-14

The point is that satan doesn't really have to do much. He may promote evil desire, always in opposition to God's will, but we do the most. Between our own pride and desire we fail and fall pretty well all by ourselves.
 
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